After a grim trading session the JSE All-Share Index closed 0.6% weaker, while the blue-chip JSE Top-40 Index lost 0.68%.

The Resources index recorded marginal gains of 0.27%. However, the Industrials and Financials indices lost 1% and 0.61% respectively.

The rand strengthened against the greenback in today’s session as the US dollar eased from its highs. The local unit strengthened by more than 1% to reach a session high of R12.53/$; however, it retraced to trade at R12.56/$ at 17:00.

Gold broke above $1 300 per ounce but failed to gain any traction beyond its session high of $1302.99/oz.

The yellow metal was trading at $1 300.65/oz at 17:00, up 0.2% for the day.

Platinum was trading 0.1% firmer at $906.62/oz, while palladium inched up by 0.13% to close at $979.48/oz.

Brent crude jumped by more than 2% to reach a session high of $77.04 per barrel. It was recorded at $76.94/barrel just after the JSE close.

At 17:00 Bitcoin was trading 0.85% weaker at $7350.00 per coin, while Ethereum had lost 0.75% to trade at $549.20 per coin.